Ghosts No More–Atlantic Sturgeon Make a Comeback
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MARCH/APRIL 2021 FOUR DOLLARS Inside: Ghosts No More–Atlantic Sturgeon Make a Comeback MARCH/APRIL 2021 VOL. 82, NO. 2 FEATURES Ghosts No More 6 By John Page Williams How a coordinated approach has helped Atlantic sturgeon rebound in Virginia’s rivers. Hunting Changed Lock Dolinger’s Life 15 By Jonathan Bowman Outdoor pursuits have helped this teenager adjust to rural Virginia life after adoption from China. Nature Where You Least Expect It 20 By Beth Hester In highly developed Hampton Roads, a trio of distinctive green spaces provide critical wildlife habitat, foster healthy communities, and spur neighborhood revitalization. Wildflowers and Foxes – A Unique Connection 24 Photo essay by Mike Roberts Nature has it all figured out. Wildflowers and foxes have a beautiful connection that not many folks know about. Virginia’s Unsung Catfishes 30 By Michael J. Pinder They may not be flashy or massive, but madtoms are essential in Virginia’s waters. 10 Tactics for Quiet Toms 34 By Gerald Almy It helps to have a variety of strategies to try when gobblers go silent. DEPARTMENTS 5 From Our Readers • 18 Explore, Enjoy • 28 Working for Wildlife 39 A Walk in the Woods • 40 On the Water • 42 Photo Tips 43 Fare Game • 44 Good Reads • 45 Out & About Cover: An Atlantic sturgeon breaches in the James River at Richmond, see page 6. © Rob Sabatini Left: North Fork Holston River near Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area welcomes spring. In this river you can find little known catfish called madtoms, see page 30. ©DCR-DNH, Gary P. Fleming Back Cover: Gobblers can be quiet but there are a few things you can try to outsmart them, see page 34. ©Tommy Kirkland Commonwealth of Virginia recently had a conversation with a long- Ralph S. Northam, Governor time friend. Years ago, we had first been in I Secretary of Natural Resources contact over a common interest in hunting. As Matthew J. Strickler I learned more about this individual, however, it became clear to me that his interests extend much Department of WILDLIFE RESOURCES Ryan J. Brown, Executive Director further than just that. Not in name, but by example, I often point HUNTING & FISHING to him as a “complete conservationist”—one LICENSE FEES who is engaged in all aspects of the natural world Subsidized this publication around him, concerned with the conservation of Ryan J. Brown all of our resources, and passionate about sharing Members of the Board his knowledge and enthusiasm with others. In so John W. Daniel II, Chair, Richmond Executive Director Brian Vincent, Vice-Chair, Farmville doing, he reaches people of all backgrounds and Frank Adams, King William gains extensive insight into how they experience and value the outdoors. Leon Boyd, Vansant I thought about the broad spectrum of my friend’s life in the outdoors when Catherine H. Claiborne, Richmond I read about how hunting, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits have helped Lock Douglas Dear, Syria Mamie A. Parker, Ph.D., Dulles Dolinger, a young man whose life has taken him from an urban Chinese orphanage Tom Sadler, Verona to the fields and woods of Virginia, build confidence and feel pride. (Read “Hunting Karen Terwilliger, Locustville Changed Lock Dolinger’s Life” on pg. 15.) G.K. Washington, Dillwyn Our relationships with wildlife and the outdoors help shape us in innumerable ways, whether we’re sitting quietly at the edge of a field on a frosty morning waiting Magazine Staff Editor: Molly Kirk for a gobbler to appear, casting for a fish lurking just beneath the surface, searching Contributing Editor: Ron Messina the skies for a bird species to add to our list, or simply enjoying a walk in the woods. Art Director: Lynda Richardson Equally, our actions while in the outdoors can affect the health and well-being of Production Manager: Carol Kushlak wildlife that inhabit it. Staff Contributors: Tom Hampton, Matt Kline, Meghan Marchetti, Michael J. Pinder Wildlife conservation can take place anywhere, and be done by anyone. It’s in- spiring to read of how urban Virginians have used green space in their cities to create Printing by Progress Printing Plus, Lynchburg, VA havens for wildlife in the article on page 20, “Nature Where You Least Expect It.” We as an agency devote our work to conserving and protecting Virginia’s wildlife, but Copyright 2021 by the Virginia Department of Wildlife every outdoor enthusiast can also play a part in conservation no matter what activity Resources. All rights reserved. they enjoy in the fields and woods of the Commonwealth. Virginia Wildlife (ISSN 0042 6792) is published bimonthly by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Send all No matter your primary interests in enjoying our outdoors, I hope you will take subscription orders and address changes to Virginia Wild- the time to appreciate and forward the conservation of all of our resources and to en- life, P. O. Box 37832, Boone, Iowa 50037. Address all other communications concerning this publication to Vir ginia courage others to experience all that Virginia has to offer. Especially in current times, Wildlife, P. O. Box 90778, Henrico, Virginia 23228-0778. outdoor activities have benefits to our lives that extend far beyond the time spent in Subscription rates are $12.95 for one year, $23.95 for two years; $4.00 per each back issue, subject to availability. e the field. It is each of our responsibility to promote these experiences for all, and to Canadian rate is $24.95 for one year and $35.95 for two conserve the interrelated resources that provide so much opportunity to us. years, payable in U.S. funds. No refunds for amounts less than $10.00. To subscribe, call toll-free (800)710-9369. is publication is intended for general informational pur- poses only and every effort has been made to ensure its ac- curacy. e information contained herein does not serve as a legal representation of fish and wildlife laws or regulations. e Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources does not as- sume responsibility for any change in dates, regulations, or information that may occur after publication. e Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources shall afford to all persons an equal access to Department programs and facilities without regard to race, color, religion, disabil- ity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, political affiliation, or veteran’s status. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, please write to: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Attn: Executive Director’s Office, P. O. Box 90778, Henrico, VA 23228. MISSION STATEMENT Conserve and manage wildlife populations and habitat for the benefit of present www.virginiawildlife.gov and future generations. Connect people to Virginia’s outdoors through boating, education, fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing and other wildlife-related activities. Protect people and property by promoting safe outdoor experiences and managing human-wildlife conflicts. From Our Readers On Our Website... Something Squirrelly Robert and Judy Adams live in rural these ones are fattening up on sunflower Fishing Reports Amherst County and have subscribed seeds!” to Virginia Wildlife for 30 years. Robert, By January, Robin reported back an avid outdoorsman, enjoys photo- to Virginia Wildlife that the triplets had graphing the birds and squirrels in the grown and still maintained their feeding family’s large front yard. In the spring of spot together at the base of the oak tree. 2020, he noticed baby squirrel triplets Although they still fed at times when the that he and Judy observed each day and adult squirrels are not as prevalent, they photographed. The triplets always stayed appeared to be thriving. together when eating and remained at the base of a large oak tree. Every month, DWR’s Aquatic Education Robert and Judy’s daughter, Robin, Coordinator Alex McCrickard discusses wrote to Virginia Wildlife in November various water bodies, fishing tactics, 2020 asking if the squirrels’ small size species to target, and more in the put them at a disadvantage going into the Fishing Report videos. virginiawildlife. winter. Marc Puckett, a Virginia De- gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports partment of Wildlife Resources wildlife biologist, replied that “They are small Adding to the K9 Capabilities but seem to be healthy and well furred for winter. Squirrels are slow to develop ©Robert Adams and wean, and typically stay near their Baby squirrels enjoy sunflower seeds in the den tree until more grown. It looks like Adams’ front yard in Amherst County. Meghan Marchetti / DWR Meghan Marchetti Two of the DWR Conservation Police K9 Officers and their dogs are com- pleting advanced training in human remains location, broadening the range of skills of the DWR K9 unit. virginia wildlife.gov/blog/adding-k9-capabilities DWR’s F1 Largemouth Bass Stocking Program FAQ What are F1 largemouth bass? Why is DWR stocking them? Where are they being stocked? All the answers are here! Armel ©Tyler Both by virginiawildlife.gov/blog/dwrs-f1-large- Tyler Armel of Amissville sent in these two images taken in Bath County. The images reveal how a tree can eat a sign over the years. The image on the left was taken in 2002 and, 18 mouth-bass-stocking-program-faq years later, the same tree and sign. Be careful where you post your signs because, obviously, trees will eat them! Thank you Tyler for sharing these photographs! We want to hear from you! We welcome letters to the editor, questions for our staff, photos you capture of wildlife, and experiences you want to share. Please include your Connect with Us! name and address when you send correspondence to [email protected] via email or by mail to Editor, Virginia Wildlife, P.O.